US6166630A - Wireless fuel gauge - Google Patents
Wireless fuel gauge Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US6166630A US6166630A US09/099,085 US9908598A US6166630A US 6166630 A US6166630 A US 6166630A US 9908598 A US9908598 A US 9908598A US 6166630 A US6166630 A US 6166630A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- liquid
- fuel
- level
- signal
- tank
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/80—Arrangements for signal processing
- G01F23/806—Particular electronic circuits for handling non-digital processing equipment
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
- G01F23/00—Indicating or measuring liquid level or level of fluent solid material, e.g. indicating in terms of volume or indicating by means of an alarm
- G01F23/80—Arrangements for signal processing
- G01F23/802—Particular electronic circuits for digital processing equipment
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a wireless fuel gauge. Preferable the fuel gauge provides incremental reading levels.
- Vehicles include measuring assemblies to measure the amount of liquid in a container such as the fuel tank. Traditionally, floats or other direct measuring devices have been used. More recently, measuring assemblies which provide an accurate determination of the liquid level within a vessel such as a vehicle fuel tank while remaining external to the vessel have been proposed. To obtain the desired accuracy it has been proposed to transmit optical waves into a vessel to effect the non-intrusive measuring of a liquid contained therein.
- One such method derives distance from the speed of light by transmitting an amplitude-modulated light beam at the liquid boundary and comparing the phase of a return signal with the phase of the transmitted signal.
- the relative phase of the two signals depend on the modulation frequency of the signal and the distance to the liquid boundary.
- the present invention provides a wireless fuel gauge wherein the liquid level within a fuel tank is determined and sent to a control over a wireless link.
- the sensor develops a series of incremental level readings.
- This type of level sensor is particularly well suited to the use of a wireless fuel gauge in that the level information is digital, and thus easy to transmit.
- One preferred liquid measuring assembly includes a vessel for containing a liquid having a level defined by a liquid-air boundary.
- a transmitter emits an optical signal into the vessel, and a receiver detects a portion of the optical signal which reflects from the liquid-air boundary. The reflected optical signal is then compared to expected aspects of the optical signal to determine the level of the liquid.
- the transmitter is mounted near the bottom of the vessel to emit the optical signal into the liquid and generally parallel to the liquid-air boundary.
- the receiver is preferably a photodetector mounted at a location to detect the portion of the optical signal which reflects parallel from the liquid-air boundary.
- the vessel has a wall with a course outer surface and a smooth inner surface which disperses the optical signal throughout the vessel. Applicant recognizes that the light intensity will be maximum at the liquid level.
- the system is thus able to provide incremental information about the level.
- a control can compare the signals to identify the one with the highest intensity.
- the control can then associate the full level with the highest intensity reading sensor.
- the accuracy of the present invention may be refined by increasing the number of receivers in a vertical array.
- the digital information is better adapted to be transmitted over a wireless link.
- FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the wireless fuel gauge of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel tank of FIG. 1 showing a representative optical signal emitted therein;
- FIG. 2a is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the fuel tank of FIG. 2 showing the optical signals dispersion at the tank wall;
- FIG. 3 is an exemplary plot of Water Level vs. Photo-Detector Output displaying the function of the preferred measuring system used in the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a circuit of the present invention which generated the plot of FIG. 3.
- a wireless fuel gauge assembly 10 is generally shown in FIG. 1.
- Assembly 10 includes a fuel tank 12 for containing fuel having a level defined by a liquid-air boundary 14.
- a control 15 determines a digital signal indicative of the level, as will be described below.
- Control 15 communicates to a RF transmitter 17.
- Transmitter 17 sends a RF signal.
- the present invention uses a known liquid measurement technique that provides digital indications of fuel level.
- This technique is not known for use in a wireless fuel gauge.
- transmitter 16 emits an optical signal 18 into the vessel 12, and a receiver 20 detects a portion of the optical signal 18 reflecting from the liquid-air boundary 14.
- Optical signal 18 is compared to expected aspects to determine the level of the liquid.
- the RF signal from transmitter 17 is captured by a wireless receiver 22.
- Signals captured by receiver 22 is communicated to a fuel gauge 24.
- the gauge 24 is located in the instrument panel, with the wireless link communicating the liquid level to the gauge 24.
- Known RF techniques may be used to provide wireless link. The use of the wireless link eliminates the need for separate wiring.
- Fuel tank 12 may be constructed of any material so long as at least one windowed aperture 26 is provided that is substantially transparent to the transmission and reception of the optical signal 18.
- tank 12 is preferably constructed entirely of high density polyethylene, polypropylene, or other plastic material that provides the aforementioned transparency quality throughout the entire wall.
- a further preferable characteristic of the tank is that it provides a wall 28 having a coarse outer surface texture with respect to the diameter of the optical signal 18.
- FIG. 2 shows transmitter 16 which is preferably at least one laser diode mounted to emit a collimated optical signal 18 into the liquid and generally parallel to the liquid-air boundary 14.
- the laser diode may be operated to emit the optical signal 18 in a pulsing manner or may be continuously operated.
- the transmitter 16 may be mounted near the tank bottom 32 to maximize the volume of measurable liquid.
- the volume of liquid measurable by a laser diode does of course correspond to the liquid measured and the power of the laser diode.
- the coarseness of the wall 28 at which the optical signal 18 is transmitted acts as a dispersing lens and serves to diffuse and diverge the otherwise well collimated optical signal 18 into a plurality of signals 30 emanating in all directions throughout the vessel 12.
- the measuring technique is based on the concept that air with an index of refraction of ⁇ a and a liquid with an index of refraction of ⁇ 1 form a boundary that resembles a pseudo-dielectric waveguide.
- the collimated optical signal 18 is diffused into a plurality of signals 30 emanating in all directions throughout the vessel.
- the measuring technique recognized that the optical signals 30 defined as Total Internal Reflection (TIR) 34 at the liquid-air boundary 14 has a maximum intensity of the signals within the vessel.
- the optical signals 30 are directed parallel to, and move in tandem with, the liquid level.
- the TIR optical signal 34 is a plurality of optical signals 30 and due to its intensity, is considerably more detectable than any one individual optical signals 30. This TIR optical signal 34 is therefore readily detected by a receiver 20 and compared to expected aspects of the overall optical signals to non-intrusively determine the liquid level within the tank 12.
- Control 15 takes intensity readings from each of the six detectors shown in FIG. 2 and can determine that the intensity was greatest at the second. The control then correlates this reading with an expected level of fluid within the tank.
- Detectors 20 are located a desired heights on the tank 12 to detect the TIR signal 34 reflecting parallel from the liquid-air boundary 14 to detect when the liquid level is at a desired height.
- the accuracy of the present invention is further refined by mounting a plurality of detectors 20 in a vertical array thereby providing a non-intrusive liquid measuring assembly 10 having an incremental digital feedback of the level.
- the resolution may therefore be varied by increasing the quantity of detectors 20 from one which provides a simple low liquid warning to a tightly packed vertical array which provides highly accurate measurement resolution. For example only, by mounting ten receivers on a fuel tank a related fuel gauge may be provided with a display having demarcations marked in tenths.
- the control 15 develops a unique digital signal for each incremental position which is then transmitted by transmitter 17 to receiver 22.
- Receiver 22 is associated with a control for fuel gauge 24, which moves gauge 24 to a level indication which corresponds to the incremental position identified by transmitter 17.
- FIG. 3 an exemplary plot of Water Level vs. Photo-Detector Output is presented in order to display the concept.
- a single photodetector (PD) was affixed to the side of a high density polyethylene vessel 10 cm from the vessel bottom.
- An optical signal from an HeNe (633 nm) laser was directed against the vessel wall, 1.5 cm from the bottom, and incident to the coarse outer surface of the vessel wall. Water was then poured into the vessel and the PD output voltage measured at each centimeter increase in water level. Two peak responses are immediately evident in the plot. The first peak 40 occurs before the water level rises above the incident laser beam.
- the second peak 42 occurs when the water level in the vessel coincides with the height of the PD. In other words, when the second peak 42 occurs, the liquid level and the PD are in the same horizontal plane. This is true due to the maximum intensity discussed above. By monitoring which detector is seeing the maximum intensity, incremented feedback on the liquid level is provided. A control is associated with the detector to compare values and determine the liquid level based upon which sensor is reading the maximum intensity. Additionally, a relationship may be provided between the peak response of two detectors to determine the exact liquid level therebetween.
- the PD response is about 20 mv higher when the PD is above the liquid level, than when the PD is below the liquid level.
- This disparity in optical energy density in the liquid and the air region above the liquid can be used to provide a discriminator where photodetectors can be used to determine the liquid level.
- photodetectors can be used to determine the liquid level.
- the circuit of FIG. 4 is based on.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a circuit.
- the photodetector 50 is a photo sensitive transistor in the common emitter configuration.
- a 20 meg ohm resistor 52 is provided to develop the output voltage as a function of incident optical intensity.
- the signal is fed to a comparitor 54 for threshold comparison against the second peak 42 of FIG. 3.
- the output of the comparitor 54 is used to trigger a JK flip-flop 56.
- the Q output of the JK flip-flop 56 is used to turn on a high intensity LED 58 when the liquid level is in line with the photodetector 50 and an NPN transistor 60 is provided to drive the LED 58.
- a control may compare the signal from any two photodetectors 50 when the liquid level falls therebetween to provide further resolution to the system. Preferably, however, this does provide only digital incremental signals.
- the fuel gauge shown in FIG. 1 there are three incremental points illustrated between empty and full.
- the incremented points are associated with quarter tank, half tank and three quarter tank. If a vessel were provided with four sensor 20, the control would monitor the light intensity at each of the four sensors. If the uppermost sensor was receiving the greatest intensity, then the control would determine that fuel vessel was full, and move the gauge to the full position. Similarly, in the position illustrated in FIG. 1, the gauge is pointing to the three quarter full. Thus, a lower detector would be sensing the greatest intensity, to result in the position shown in FIG. 1. With this arrangement, there would be an incremental movement of the fuel gauge movement between several positions. The number of positions would correlate to the number of detectors.
- This digital incremental level information is easily transmitted between transmitter 17 and detector 22.
- a laser is shown as the light source, other types of light sources may be utilized. Further, other electromagnetic radiation sources can be utilized, and other types of signals could also be utilized.
- the invention extends to other techniques. Also, while digital level readings are preferred, the invention may extend to non-digital measuring techniques.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Measurement Of Levels Of Liquids Or Fluent Solid Materials (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims (22)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/099,085 US6166630A (en) | 1998-06-17 | 1998-06-17 | Wireless fuel gauge |
EP99927509A EP1088203A1 (en) | 1998-06-17 | 1999-06-14 | Wireless fuel gauge |
PCT/US1999/013319 WO1999066295A1 (en) | 1998-06-17 | 1999-06-14 | Wireless fuel gauge |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/099,085 US6166630A (en) | 1998-06-17 | 1998-06-17 | Wireless fuel gauge |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US6166630A true US6166630A (en) | 2000-12-26 |
Family
ID=22272594
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/099,085 Expired - Fee Related US6166630A (en) | 1998-06-17 | 1998-06-17 | Wireless fuel gauge |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6166630A (en) |
EP (1) | EP1088203A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999066295A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20010022342A1 (en) * | 1998-07-15 | 2001-09-20 | Wirthlin Alvin R. | Optical Transducer |
US6437697B1 (en) * | 2001-07-13 | 2002-08-20 | John C. Caro | Propane level monitor assembly |
WO2002075333A2 (en) * | 2001-03-20 | 2002-09-26 | Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc. | Intrinsically safe portable programmer for enclosed electronic process control equipment |
KR20030038990A (en) * | 2001-11-09 | 2003-05-17 | 에스케이 주식회사 | Exact Calculating Method of Used Fuel Per each Driver of Vehicles and System Thereof |
US20050025493A1 (en) * | 2003-07-28 | 2005-02-03 | Jurgis Astrauskas | Method and apparatus for using a close proximity probe for optical communication with a device external to the probe |
US20100229973A1 (en) * | 2009-03-10 | 2010-09-16 | Markus Lang | Optical level detector for a beverage machine |
DE102010052870A1 (en) * | 2010-12-01 | 2012-06-06 | Baumer Innotec Ag | Arrangement for detecting level of medium, particularly fluid in container, has area for receiving container with medium introduced in interior of container |
US10416023B2 (en) * | 2017-05-25 | 2019-09-17 | Yazaki Corporation | Liquid surface level sensor |
Citations (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3683196A (en) * | 1970-11-27 | 1972-08-08 | Texas Instruments Inc | Differential fluid level detector |
US3910116A (en) * | 1973-12-07 | 1975-10-07 | Rexnord Inc | Transducer positioning means for fluid level monitoring |
JPS5638045A (en) * | 1979-09-04 | 1981-04-13 | Kimoto & Co Ltd | Halftone dot correcting material and method |
EP0178607A2 (en) * | 1984-10-16 | 1986-04-23 | Progress Elektrogeräte GmbH | Vacuum cleaner housing and dust bag |
DE3639455A1 (en) * | 1986-11-18 | 1988-05-26 | Heinrich Prof Dr Ing Reents | Method with the associated devices for fully electronic level measurement of liquids and gases with the aid of flexible and flat, pressure-absorbing sensors with the periphery in the tank |
US4840056A (en) * | 1987-12-11 | 1989-06-20 | Pulse Electronics, Inc. | Fuel measuring system |
US4912646A (en) * | 1987-01-16 | 1990-03-27 | Fiat Auto S.P.A. | Method for detecting the fuel level in the tank of a motor vehicle |
US4926331A (en) * | 1986-02-25 | 1990-05-15 | Navistar International Transportation Corp. | Truck operation monitoring system |
US4961069A (en) * | 1988-12-07 | 1990-10-02 | Aeroquip Corporation | Dual optical level monitor |
US5194747A (en) * | 1991-10-21 | 1993-03-16 | Midland Manufacturing Corp. | Liquid level gauge comparing moldulations of incident and reflected loser beams |
US5257090A (en) * | 1991-11-27 | 1993-10-26 | United Technologies Corporation | Laser diode liquid-level/distance measurement |
US5519397A (en) * | 1993-02-26 | 1996-05-21 | Chapotot; Michel | Circuit for processing the output signal from a resistive analog sensor, in particular for the fuel gauge of a motor vehicle, and systems fitted therewith |
US5648844A (en) * | 1995-11-20 | 1997-07-15 | Midland Manufacturing Corp. | Laser liquid level gauge with diffuser |
US5703464A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1997-12-30 | Amerigon, Inc. | Radio frequency energy management system |
US5708424A (en) * | 1996-08-19 | 1998-01-13 | Orlando; Vincent | Wireless remote fuel gauge |
US5717376A (en) * | 1996-09-03 | 1998-02-10 | United Technologies Automotive, Inc. | System for determining failure of remote sensing device |
US5814830A (en) * | 1994-10-18 | 1998-09-29 | Simmonds Precision Products, Inc. | Liquid gauging apparatus with a magnetoresistive sensor and remote sensor interrogration |
US5880480A (en) * | 1996-03-13 | 1999-03-09 | Simmonds Precision Products, Inc. | Optical liquid level sensor including built-in test circuitry |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITAN940036U1 (en) * | 1994-12-23 | 1996-06-24 | Nerina Lorenzetti | AUTOMATIC SYSTEM FOR DETECTION AND REMOTE TRANSMISSION OF LIQUID FUEL LEVELS IN TANKS |
-
1998
- 1998-06-17 US US09/099,085 patent/US6166630A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1999
- 1999-06-14 WO PCT/US1999/013319 patent/WO1999066295A1/en active Application Filing
- 1999-06-14 EP EP99927509A patent/EP1088203A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3683196A (en) * | 1970-11-27 | 1972-08-08 | Texas Instruments Inc | Differential fluid level detector |
US3910116A (en) * | 1973-12-07 | 1975-10-07 | Rexnord Inc | Transducer positioning means for fluid level monitoring |
JPS5638045A (en) * | 1979-09-04 | 1981-04-13 | Kimoto & Co Ltd | Halftone dot correcting material and method |
EP0178607A2 (en) * | 1984-10-16 | 1986-04-23 | Progress Elektrogeräte GmbH | Vacuum cleaner housing and dust bag |
US4926331A (en) * | 1986-02-25 | 1990-05-15 | Navistar International Transportation Corp. | Truck operation monitoring system |
DE3639455A1 (en) * | 1986-11-18 | 1988-05-26 | Heinrich Prof Dr Ing Reents | Method with the associated devices for fully electronic level measurement of liquids and gases with the aid of flexible and flat, pressure-absorbing sensors with the periphery in the tank |
US4912646A (en) * | 1987-01-16 | 1990-03-27 | Fiat Auto S.P.A. | Method for detecting the fuel level in the tank of a motor vehicle |
US4840056A (en) * | 1987-12-11 | 1989-06-20 | Pulse Electronics, Inc. | Fuel measuring system |
US4961069A (en) * | 1988-12-07 | 1990-10-02 | Aeroquip Corporation | Dual optical level monitor |
US5194747A (en) * | 1991-10-21 | 1993-03-16 | Midland Manufacturing Corp. | Liquid level gauge comparing moldulations of incident and reflected loser beams |
US5257090A (en) * | 1991-11-27 | 1993-10-26 | United Technologies Corporation | Laser diode liquid-level/distance measurement |
US5519397A (en) * | 1993-02-26 | 1996-05-21 | Chapotot; Michel | Circuit for processing the output signal from a resistive analog sensor, in particular for the fuel gauge of a motor vehicle, and systems fitted therewith |
US5814830A (en) * | 1994-10-18 | 1998-09-29 | Simmonds Precision Products, Inc. | Liquid gauging apparatus with a magnetoresistive sensor and remote sensor interrogration |
US5703464A (en) * | 1995-06-28 | 1997-12-30 | Amerigon, Inc. | Radio frequency energy management system |
US5648844A (en) * | 1995-11-20 | 1997-07-15 | Midland Manufacturing Corp. | Laser liquid level gauge with diffuser |
US5880480A (en) * | 1996-03-13 | 1999-03-09 | Simmonds Precision Products, Inc. | Optical liquid level sensor including built-in test circuitry |
US5708424A (en) * | 1996-08-19 | 1998-01-13 | Orlando; Vincent | Wireless remote fuel gauge |
US5717376A (en) * | 1996-09-03 | 1998-02-10 | United Technologies Automotive, Inc. | System for determining failure of remote sensing device |
Cited By (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20010022342A1 (en) * | 1998-07-15 | 2001-09-20 | Wirthlin Alvin R. | Optical Transducer |
US6872933B2 (en) | 1998-07-15 | 2005-03-29 | Alvin R. Wirthlin | Optical transducer |
US6795319B2 (en) | 2001-03-20 | 2004-09-21 | Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments, Inc. | Intrinsically safe portable programmer for enclosed electronic process control equipment |
US20020135989A1 (en) * | 2001-03-20 | 2002-09-26 | Preston Nigel Ashley | Intrinsically safe portable programmer for enclosed electronic process control equipment |
WO2002075333A3 (en) * | 2001-03-20 | 2003-03-20 | Siemens Milltronics Proc Instr | Intrinsically safe portable programmer for enclosed electronic process control equipment |
WO2002075333A2 (en) * | 2001-03-20 | 2002-09-26 | Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc. | Intrinsically safe portable programmer for enclosed electronic process control equipment |
US6437697B1 (en) * | 2001-07-13 | 2002-08-20 | John C. Caro | Propane level monitor assembly |
KR20030038990A (en) * | 2001-11-09 | 2003-05-17 | 에스케이 주식회사 | Exact Calculating Method of Used Fuel Per each Driver of Vehicles and System Thereof |
US20050025493A1 (en) * | 2003-07-28 | 2005-02-03 | Jurgis Astrauskas | Method and apparatus for using a close proximity probe for optical communication with a device external to the probe |
US20100229973A1 (en) * | 2009-03-10 | 2010-09-16 | Markus Lang | Optical level detector for a beverage machine |
US8338811B2 (en) | 2009-03-10 | 2012-12-25 | Nestec S.A. | Optical level detector for a beverage machine |
DE102010052870A1 (en) * | 2010-12-01 | 2012-06-06 | Baumer Innotec Ag | Arrangement for detecting level of medium, particularly fluid in container, has area for receiving container with medium introduced in interior of container |
US10416023B2 (en) * | 2017-05-25 | 2019-09-17 | Yazaki Corporation | Liquid surface level sensor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1088203A1 (en) | 2001-04-04 |
WO1999066295A1 (en) | 1999-12-23 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4961069A (en) | Dual optical level monitor | |
KR102392601B1 (en) | Dust sensor | |
US7497021B2 (en) | Multi-axis bubble vial device | |
US4286464A (en) | Optical fluid level monitor | |
US5801647A (en) | Method and apparatus for measuring road surface conditions | |
CN101952862B (en) | Smoke alarm with temporal evaluation of a backscatter signal, test method for the functional capability of a smoke alarm | |
US20030230141A1 (en) | Optical fuel level sensor | |
US6429447B1 (en) | Fluid level indicator | |
JP2005517950A (en) | Method and apparatus for determining optical injection level in liquid injection container | |
JPS63103920A (en) | Optical fiber fluid sensor | |
US8072594B1 (en) | Liquid level sensor | |
US6509558B1 (en) | Optical sensor for measuring opaqueness of washing or rinsing liquid | |
CN101010561A (en) | Device and method for optical distance measurement | |
EP1802953A2 (en) | Pressure sensor | |
US6166630A (en) | Wireless fuel gauge | |
EP2685226A1 (en) | Optical liquid level sensor | |
US7034937B2 (en) | Flow meter | |
US4918979A (en) | Liquid testing apparatus | |
US6661504B2 (en) | Failure detecting optoelectronic sensor | |
JP2002098763A (en) | Optoelectronic device for detecting object | |
GB2147697A (en) | Level measurement method and apparatus | |
EP0185285A2 (en) | Liquid level measurement apparatus | |
NL2010203C2 (en) | Optical liquid level detection sensor and liquid overfill prevention system comprising such sensor. | |
EP0952432A1 (en) | Method and device for detection of the contents of a container | |
US5740693A (en) | Photoelectric levelness detector |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: UT AUTOMOTIVE DEARBORN, INC., MICHIGAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:KING, JOSEPH D.;REEL/FRAME:009295/0024 Effective date: 19980617 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LEAR AUTOMOTIVE DEARBORN, INC., MICHIGAN Free format text: CHANGE OF NAME;ASSIGNOR:UT AUTOMOTIVE DEARBORN, INC.;REEL/FRAME:013182/0781 Effective date: 19990617 |
|
FEPP | Fee payment procedure |
Free format text: PAYOR NUMBER ASSIGNED (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: ASPN); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS GENERAL ADMINISTRATI Free format text: SECURITY AGREEMENT;ASSIGNOR:LEAR AUTOMOTIVE DEARBORN, INC.;REEL/FRAME:017823/0950 Effective date: 20060425 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20081226 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: LEAR AUTOMOTIVE DEARBORN, INC., MICHIGAN Free format text: RELEASE BY SECURED PARTY;ASSIGNOR:JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.;REEL/FRAME:032712/0428 Effective date: 20100830 |